'True Blood's Christopher Meloni lands role in 'Small Time'

The True Blood star - who has also appeared in Law and Order: SVU and Oz - is believed to be in final negotiations to play a car salesman in the 24 creator's semi-autobiographical story, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Small Time tells the story of a used car dealer in Van Nuys who is pining for his ex-wife and dealing with a son who wants to quit college.

Devon Bostick from Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been tapped to play the son, while Breaking Bad's Dean Norris is also thought to be in talks to play Meloni's character's business partner.

Filming on Small Time is scheduled to begin in April, with Surnow as producer and Jonathan Koch and Steve Michaels of Asylum Entertainment as executive producers.

Prior to accepting his regular role on True Blood last year, Meloni expressed regret at the end of his partnership with Law and Order: SVU co-star Mariska Hargitay, saying: "You know, I don't know if there's been any other duo for 12 years on TV."

He will also appear in Zack Snyder's Superman movie Man of Steel, which is due to premiere in June 2013.